Sorry, but this is one topic that REALLY makes me angry.

First, just because there is a law for something doesn't make it right! Do you know how many musicians have been put out of work because a club or small venue can't afford to pay the music Mafia Fee? And that's exactly what it is.

And, it is amazing to me that music education in general is crippled because you can't share a tune or exercise containing a Melody. I can't count the number of music textbooks that have to use unknown melodies because of this.

On the issue of file sharing>There is no reason why a person should not be able to share a tune they made in Band in a Box. I can't believe we have all this computer technology, but can't really use it for full effect, just because a song written 50 years ago doesn't get paid for again. This is not Pirate Bay Folks! This is musicians around the globe trying to help each other.

Let me remind you of the massive rip off that has taken place since 1984 when CD's first became available. The music companies defended the price of CD's by saying "We have to pay for this new technology, the price will come down in 1 or 2 years". Yeah......we all know that didn't happen. And what about the massive fee's charged by the music publishing companies? Thank God many small record labels are springing up and the internet is finally taking their huge market share away. In some ways, there is justice after all.

It is a huge disservice that we don't now have a forum for sharing our BIAB creations. It would be a great place to discuss ideas and techniques, a great learning tool. And just like the music removed on Youtube videos, everybody loses.

Sometimes you have to speak out when the law is wrong.

OK, I've just put on my flak jacket.....bring it on.
Ed